2004 Eastern Conference Finals Game 6 vs Nets
The underdog Pistons stunned the star-studded Lakers in five games to capture their third NBA championship.
The 2004 Eastern Conference Finals was the penultimate round of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2003–04 season, and the conclusion of the Eastern Conference playoffs. This season's Eastern Conference Finals was contested between the top-seeded Indiana Pacers and the third-seeded Detroit Pistons. The Pistons held home court advantage, and the series was played under a best-of-seven format. This was the first playoff meeting between the two teams since the 2000 Eastern Conference First Round. Although the Pacers, led by Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest, were considered the favorites after winning 61 games, the underdog Pistons won the series in six games. The series is remembered for its defensive intensity and physical play, with neither team reaching 100 points in any game. This marked the Pistons' first Eastern Conference championship since 1990 and their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1990. The series ultimately featured the Pistons' stifling defense overwhelming a Pacers team that had the league's best record. Pistons' owner William Davidson became the first owner in American sports history to win two championships in one calendar year; eight days later, his Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Calgary Flames to win the NHL's Stanley Cup Finals in seven games. As of 2026, this is the most recent major professional sports championship to be won by a Detroit-based team at their home venue.
Quick Facts
- Event
- 2004 Eastern Conference Finals, Game 6
- Winner
- Detroit Pistons
- Series result
- Pistons win series 4-2
- Location
- The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
- Key moment
- Chauncey Billups' clutch performance and team defense
- Next stage
- NBA Finals vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Lore & Background
The Pistons made another major—perhaps, riskier—coaching change, firing head coach Rick Carlisle, who had led the Pistons to consecutive Central Division titles, 100 regular season wins, and had received the NBA Coach of the Year Award in 2002. In his place, Dumars hired legendary coach Larry Brown, who had most recently led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001 against the Lakers. In a three-team trade involving the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline, Dumars traded Chucky Atkins, Lindsey Hunter, Bobby Sura, Željko Rebrača, and other considerations for guard Mike James and forward Rasheed Wallace, who had been traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Hawks and then to the Pistons at the trade deadline. They proved to be the final pieces of the championship team. Lindsey Hunter would rejoin the Pistons a week later after being waived by the Celtics and be partnered with Mike James to create a formidable guard tandem off the bench dubbed 'The Pit Bulls'. They became the first team in NBA history to hold five consecutive opponents under 70 points, and finished the season with a 54–28 record and the third seed in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons easily overcame the Milwaukee Bucks 4–1 but struggled against the defending conference champion New Jersey Nets. After splitting the first four games of the series, the Nets won Game 5 in Detroit in triple overtime to take a 3–2 series lead back to New Jersey. After falling behind by 12 early in Game 6, the Pistons stormed back in the second quarter and held on for an 81–75 victory to force a seventh game. The Pistons never trailed after the midway point of the first quarter and cruised to a 90–69 win in Game 7, closing out the series 4-2 and advancing to the NBA Finals.
Reader's Guide
The Finals were played using a 2–3–2 site format, where the first two and last two games are held at the team with home court advantage. This format was only used in the Finals; all other playoff series were held in a 2–2–1–1–1 format (the team with home court advantage starts). The Pistons became the fourth team to sweep the middle three games since the NBA started using the 2-3-2 format in 1985, but the first to do so at home; the previous three times this had occurred, it was done by away teams (1990 Pistons, 1991 Chicago Bulls, 2001 Lakers). This feat would later be accomplished by two more teams (the 2006 and 2012 Miami Heat, both on their home floor) before the Finals reverted to 2-2-1-1-1 format in 2014. This was the first Finals series to be played on a Sunday–Tuesday–Thursday rotation since 1990, the last year CBS had the NBA's national television contract. NBC switched to a Wednesday-Friday-Sunday rotation in 1991, which was used through 2003, save for Monday games in 1999 and 2000 (and a potential Tuesday game in 1999, had that Finals reached Game 7). It is also the last series to have Game 1 be played on a Sunday. Since 2005, Game 1 has been played on a Thursday each year, with the exceptions of 2011, 2012, 2020, and 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals Game 6?
The Detroit Pistons defeated the New Jersey Nets to win the series four games to two. This result sent them to the championship round, ending a sixteen-year gap since their last trip there.
When and where did this pivotal matchup occur?
The contest took place on May 16, 2004, at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan. It served as the decisive home game for Detroit to close out the series against New Jersey.
Which player is credited with the clutch performance?
Point guard Chauncey Billups delivered a legendary clutch effort to lead his team during critical moments. His leadership alongside the squad's defensive intensity sealed the victory for Detroit.
What was the next stage after this series victory?
Following this elimination, Detroit advanced to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. They ultimately went on to win the championship that year.
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